POS1394 ULTRASOUND MAY DETECT SUBCLINICAL INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS.
Authors: M. Gutierrez, C. Bertolazzi, D. Clavijo-Cornejo, E. Cruz-Arenas, L. E. Gomez-Quiroz, F. Salaffi
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2022)

Background Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and despite recent advances in the treatment represents still the major cause of death. It may be established within the first 4 years of SSc and frequently is subclinical [1]. To evaluate the presence of ILD, there are different available tools in addition to the clinical evaluation including respiratory functional tests (RFT) and imaging methods, especially HRCT which remain the mainstay for the diagnosis of SSc-ILD. It has been recently proposed that pulmonary ultrasound (US) may have a potential role for the assessment of ILD in patients with SSc [2, 3]. Despite the growing body of evidence, there are no established data regarding its potential role in both detecting ILD in subclinical stages and on the follow-up of SSc patients. Objectives To investigate the validity of US in detecting subclinical ILD in SSc and to determine its potential in the follow-up of these patients. Methods 133 patients without respiratory symptoms and 133 healthy controls were included. Borg scale dyspnea index, Rodnan skin score (RSS) and pulmonary auscultation were performed. X-ray and respiratory function tests (RFT) were performed the same day. An expert rheumatologist blinded to clinical assessment performed the US. To determine the concurrent validity high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans was performed. HRCT findings were scored according to Warrick score whereas US findings were classified according the previously proposed scale. An inter-observer reliability was performed. A follow-up including US, RFT and Borg scale was done every 3 months for 12 months. Results A total of 54 of 133 SSc patients (40.6%) showed US signs of ILD in contrast to healthy controls (4.8%) (p=0.0001). The clinical and laboratory variables associated with ILD were anti-centromere antibodies (p=0.005) and RSS (p=0.004). A positive correlation was demonstrated between the US and HRCT findings (p=0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of US in detecting ILD was 91.2% and 88.6% respectively. A good inter-observer reliability was also observed (k = 0.72). In the follow-up, a total of 30 patients (22.6%) that demonstrated US signs of ILD at baseline showed US worsening. Nine patients (30%) developed symptoms of ILD. Conclusion US is valid to detect subclinical ILD-SSc. Our results showed a high prevalence of this complication. Despite encouraging data, it seems still controversial its role in monitoring the ILD progression in SSc. References [1]Salaffi F, Carotti M, Baldelli S, et al. Subclinical interstitial lung involvement in rheumatic diseases. Correlation of high resolution computerized tomography and functional and cytologic findings. Radiol Med 1999;97:33-41. [2]Tardella M, Gutierrez M, Salaffi F, et al. Ultrasound in the assessment of pulmonary fibrosis in connective tissue disorders: correlation with high-resolution computed tomography. J Rheumatol 2012; 39:1641-47. [3]Gargani L, Doveri M, D’Errico L, et al. Ultrasound lung comets in systemic sclerosis: a chest sonography hallmark of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Rheumatology 2009;48:1382-87. Disclosure of Interests None declared